Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) - TVC - Basic (VC04)

* Wave 1 of The Vintage Collection was available at some retail stores as early as June 2010

We never ever suspected a Star Wars action figure would give us such jitters that our knees would buckle right in the aisle where it’s hanging on the pegs while simple looking at it. But that’s exactly what Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) from The Vintage Collection did to us. Never have we seen such a wondrous execution in an action figure and a likeness that is immediately recognizable to a specific frame in The Empire Strikes Back. And this is saying quite a bit because we have received some remarkable action figures throughout the years collecting. And even though the previous great figures don’t lose any luster in the shadows of Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues), we do know that a new bar has been raised for the basic figure line. The Star Wars line has arrived in a new and very big way. It is a figure of this quality that actually makes us feel bad for all the whining and complaining we do throughout the year, the harsh comments we spew and the overall regret for the discontent and entitlement we have for this toy line. For Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) is a figure that is flawless in every way possible and it should affirm to all of us that Hasbro’s sights are set so high and that their goal is too clearly make collectors as happy as possible. If you thought that the 2007 VTSC Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) was remotely good, then you better sit down when opening and playing with this figure. They are worlds apart in every way possible. The Vintage Collection version of Luke Skywalker will NEVER need a revisit ever again. Yes, this is a very strong statement, but we will confidently stand behind our claim because this is a figure that will impress, perplex, inspire and thrill all at the same time. And it makes us very excited for what will be forthcoming with this line. Good things are clearly about to happen.

Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) is super-articulated. He has 14 points of articulation. But the thing to get excited about here are the ball-jointed hips. We waited a very long time to get this enhancement and it’s finally here. They offer collectors a full range of motion and essentially any position can be attained through them. More ball-jointed points of articulation are strewn throughout the figure including elbows, shoulder, knees and ankles. The head and waist also utilize full range of motion joints as well. This figure knows no posing boundaries here. But it does know how to immediately become the pinnacle figure in your collection because this is as good as it is going to get in the basic figure line. As a bonus, Hasbro has managed to hide all of these various joints very well. In fact, you may be inclined to think there is a lot less articulation than there actually is. This is a testament to Hasbro’s commitment to make figures as authentic as possible. And Hasbro has really done a great job of matching joint color to their place on the figure. You don’t have to worry about white joints in the middle of his brown fatigues for example. We are extremely thankful for this attention to detail. His outfit is breathtaking. It’s perfectly sculpted, expertly colored and doesn’t look baggy or as if anything is out of place. The portrait will stun you. It is the absolute best likeness of Episode V Mark Hamill. The hairstyle is very accurate and not fly-away or matted down. It has a very natural look and has various highlights and streaks which look a little too thick in spots but overall look pretty fantastic and movie accurate. Luke comes without any angry expression on his face. He looks concerned but not scared or worried. He has a separately sculpted holster but we didn’t expend the time or energy trying to get it off if it’s possible to do so. But it simply amazes us how the belt doesn’t look bulky despite it being a standalone piece.

Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) comes with his signature blaster pistol. And this blaster pistol just happens to be an all-new sculpt. It fits in his hand perfectly and there is a hole that his index finger can fit through the center. It is quite an impressive gun. He also comes with a lit lightsaber as well as a separate lightsaber hilt that can plug into this belt. And yes, it fits just perfectly fine in there. The figure is completed with a beautiful paint job. There is a great deal of wear throughout his uniform fatigues. In a time when Hasbro loves making paint jobs slim to none on so many figures, no detail was spared here. There are a lot of brush mark patterns all over the figure’s body and gives it a striking realistic look. This figure is a winner any way you look at it. You would be shooting yourself in the foot (or chopping your own hand off) by passing on this figure. Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) was an incredible way to start off The Vintage Collection. And by incredible we mean that it really can’t get much better folks. While every new collection of figures inspires collectors to think “this is the best”, The Vintage Collection is proving very early that this sentiment is actually truer than ever. And it is such the right time to have these expertly made figures on premium packaging. Not only does it ignite the nostalgia of collecting from a long time ago, it rebirths it into a new passion. And this is what Hasbro is banking on to bring many of those who have strayed far from collecting back into the fold. Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) should be a figure that draws attention to itself and be desired to be owned by all. It is the best Luke Skywalker action figure to date and it has a humble amount of movie-accurate accessories. It is in a package that brings our psyches back to 1980 to a time when things were a lot simpler (and more enjoyable). It couldn’t be a better time to release The Vintage Collection and it’s an even better time to be a Star Wars collector.